Shouting was the first thing that woke her. Then the arguing really got to her. It was the neighbors – Wah and Min – accusations of cheating were fresh in the air. Unlucky bastard, she thought with a smirk. At first, she kept her eyes closed; trying to pretend she'd heard nothing, to try to sneak in a few more minutes of rest. The breaking of glass finally did it though.

With a sigh, Lin opened her eyes, brushing her tousled hair from her face. As her eyes adjusted to the morning light shining into the room, she stretched. The sound of the lower vertebrae cracking was normality now. The sings of age and stress might not have gotten to her spirit, but she felt it every day. She felt each broken bone, each bruise, and each wound chip at her body, leaving only little of what she once was. There wasn't much longer until she would have to admit defeat. Whether or not she liked to acknowledge it, her body couldn't take the toll any longer.

She tried to ignore the empty feeling in the pit of her stomach. That feeling that had made itself residence in her soul since Kya had left. As a habit, she'd tried her best to turn a blind eye to the left side of the bed, that empty space that represented so much more than she would let on.

They were still together. That much was true. How together they actually were was still something to work out. In terms of physical aspects, that was as false as can be. But emotionally, it was like she'd never left. And she sent letters. It wasn't like she went back and never contacted her again. But it was the fact that she was with her ex that made her feel insecure. Who wouldn't? It was the ex that swept Kya off her feet way before the saga between them had occurred. The charming, dashing firebender with a winning smile, Lin couldn't help the nervousness creeping up her spine.

The earthbender shook off the chill, standing slowly. The rescue had been a success, but now they were in Republic City, preparing for Kuvira's daring attack. Preparations were under way, and she felt more nervous than ever. But at least Kya was miles away, and nowhere near where she presumed, was where the fighting would be.

She was just about to step out the door when her telephone began to ring. Lin was debating for a half second to leave it, but rolled her eyes instead as she snatched up the receiver.

"What?"

"Nice to hear your voice too." Those words and the chuckle accompanying it almost made her drop the phone. She scrambled to keep it in her hands. Her mind was sent – guiltily – to the stack of letters that the waterbender had sent her, unopened on her nightstand.

"Kya? Is something wrong? Why are you calling? How are you calling? I thought it was impossible to do so at such distances." A gentle laugh followed her questions.

"It's something new, you should know though; I believe Future Industries had a hand in it." Lin let out a breath, surprised. The thought of work suddenly drifted through her mind, and while she was reluctant to speed up this conversation, but it was necessary.

"Oh, well, that's great. But really, why are you calling?"

"Can't I just be calling because I miss you?" Even miles away, Lin could identify the yearning in her voice. She picked it up so easily because most nights, she felt it too.

"I miss you too." She inhaled slowly, her eyes closing as she tried to imagine Kya's gentle features, her greying hair, her shimmering blue eyes.

"I'm coming back tomorrow." Those words had Lin's eyes snap open.

"What?" Alarm shot into her chest. Now was the worst time to decide to return.

"I know, Kuvira is going to attack soon, and you want me to be safe. But the only safe place for me, is with you Lin."

"Kya." Lin took a deep breath. The universe was really working against her. Against them. Right when a potential reunion was in the works, that damn dictator had also chosen that week to invade. "You need to stay in the South. Please."

"But Lin, the city needs all the help it can get!" Kya protested, her voice sounding hurt and annoyed. She let out a huff of air into the receiver, something Lin heard rather clearly. So clearly that she separated her end of the phone a few centimeters from her ear. But there was something else in her exhalation that had Lin suspicious.

"There's something else you're not saying. Spit it out." Lin growled. She heard air whoosh loudly, before Kya's next words were suddenly unleashed.

"Rahiro is coming along with Izumi."

"Wait, what?"